These gardens were very large and build on a steep hill with lots of shade to cool us off on this warm day. But first we had to get there, which meant going through town and over the Pont Vecchio across the Arno River. The Pont Vecchio is a famous bridge that was believed to have been built by the Romans as a stone and wood bridge. It was destroyed by a flood in 1178 and rebuilt as as all stone bridge and was the only bridge not destroyed during WW2. It was not far from the bridge to the Piazza Pitti which is an open air museum with the gardens behind it. We really enjoyed the gardens and wandered about freely. The birds really enjoy this garden as they were singing loudly from every corner. After a rejuvenating stay we headed back a different way. There is so much to see in Florence that we will be heading back.
Another fortified palace and clocktower, the Torre di Arnolfo
This one holds a museum
The buildings are nicely upkept and the cafes all have seating along the Piazza Signoria
Many statues ring the piazza, this one is not very old
Great house and mounted soldier
David statue #1
There were dozens of large statues on the corner of this piazza
It was a large portico protecting the statues
Scenes of war
Struggles with beasts
Abductions
The fig leaves on the flanking statures bring greater attention to the nether regions that they were supposed to cover
Perseus and the head of Medusa
The sculptor had to pour this piece in a single pour. There was not enough bronze and the fire was not hot enough so he sent his assistants to his house to get his door and his wooden furniture to burn to make the fire hotter as well as any spare metal.
This one has both an abduction and violenceu
A seemingly peaceful statue, but there is some clubbing about to happen and not the good kind of clubbing
One fancy pedicab
Leaving the clocktower behind
A Matisse show in here
In Florence the porticos are in the minority
Nice Italian shirts
Down river from the Pont Vecchio
The Pont Vecchio is an enclosed bridge
The shops have to be supported
This reminds me of the Bologna towers
The waterfront houses are trying to grab more real estate by building over the river
The tourist density goes way up on the bridge
Midway across the bridge is an open area with the pre-requisite statue
TeamLeip is in the house
Rowing
A very fun stationary shop
Cat themed products
Get your bird watching done here
A silver menagerie
Italian styling
Hmmm how do the Italians really feel about over tourism?
Ouch!
Love the building style
At the Piazza Pitti
One mean looking lion
Grand staues
Sprawling architecture
A nice place to live back in the day
Up on this hill we get a good look at the town
The fountains
A metal flag
Pegasus
This water fountain has two heads inside
Nice trees in the distance
A tower on a tower on a tower
Old school fountain
Tree covered walkway
Can you hear the birds
The love birds that is!
A bed of flowers
Large greenhouses
Hybiscis
Water lily
An aquatic garden
Bird of paradise
A nice circular pond
The waterlily garden had 48 individual zones, each with its own water supply
A different type of lily was grown in each section but not all of them have survived
Those that have are certainly beautiful ones
A nice wooded row
Stopped to see an European Robin
There must be a hundred sculptures
Rows and rows
All along the path to the fountain
Simon says touch your head
Simon says grow some moss
Another fine tree lined path
A star is born
The funtain has a pond around it
Goats on the top of the gate
Great blue heron
Ducks, pigeons and crows
Woof!
This man is a bit shy
Goats Mc Totes
The three graces
Our exit gate
Riding the beast
Walking back to the train station
A gate through the old walls
Italin styling
Chickens!
Other meats are also available
A very old door
A very fancy door
Beers to you!
Nice building
Wow a very painted building
Fountain
A great message
Almost over the river again
But first gelato!
Yum!
We waved to this couple as they passed by in the carriage this horse was pulling
A fine looking couple
Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
I did not get on my knees
I just kept on my way
Wow what a fine sconce
Three styles of lanterns
One last super decorated building
Almost to the station
Dogs get to ride the train
This one looks perpetually sleepy
A nice dress
Come on ride the train
Now there is a wild pair of tennis shoes
